Queen Victoria Building Sydney
The Queen Victoria Building is possibly the most beautiful shopping centre in the world.
The magnificent Queen Victoria Building, or QVB for short, is an architectural delight that should not be missed during you visit to Sydney. It is definitely one of the most beautiful shopping centres in the world and stunning to say the least. The QVB was completed in 1898 in the midst of a severe recession. The intricate Romanesque architecture topped with a centre dome required the employment many skilled craftsmen who would otherwise have been out of work during this difficult time.
When it first opened the QVB housed a concert hall, offices, warehouse space and shop space for many different services and tradespeople. Eventually the Concert Hall was replaced by the City Library and then, after a major retrofit in the 1930's, Sydney's City Council became the primary tenant.
The building gradually became run down again over the years and there was even some consideration of demolition. Fortunately, through a partnership agreement the building was painstakingly restored again between 1984 and 1986 followed by another refurbishing in 2009 for a total investment of $134 million.
The Queen Victoria Building now has many boutique shops and services throughout it's 4 levels. Outside the south end of the building the Bicentennial Plaza features a statue of Queen Victoria and the Royal Wishing Well which raises funds to benefit children who are deaf or blind.
There are many more interesting features and details in this incredible and beautifully detailed building - too many to mention here. This is one shopping centre where you may want to bring your camera.
Nearby attractions: Sydney Tower, Pitt Street Mall, Sydney Town Hall, Saint Andrew's Cathedral and Hyde Park.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: NoQueen Victoria Building Sydney Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 455 George St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Phone: (02) 9265 6800
Official Website: Queen Victoria Building Sydney
Queen Victoria Building Sydney Reviews
Rated out of 5
A Spectacular Lunar New Year Display at the QVB
I visited the Queen Victoria Building on Lunar New Year Day (2026) specifically to see the incredible decorations, and I was absolutely blown away. The QVB is always a stunning piece of architecture, but for the Year of the Horse, it was transformed into something truly magical.
The centrepiece is unmissable: hanging inside the main entrance facing George Street is a breathtaking red crystal horse. It's massive—reportedly made from nearly 10,000 red crystals and over 1,000琉璃 (coloured glaze) hanging chains. Suspended under the beautiful百年穹顶 (century-old dome), it's a stunning fusion of Eastern symbolism and Western heritage. It truly felt like a powerful symbol of good fortune and energy for the year ahead.
What made the experience even more special was the display of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs arranged throughout the ground level. It was wonderful to walk around and find our own signs, and it added a lovely educational and interactive element to the visit. The entire building was buzzing with a festive atmosphere, and the way the light from the crystals danced around the historic interior was absolutely gorgeous.
It was the perfect way to spend Lunar New Year Day—a beautiful blend of art, culture, and celebration in one of Sydney's most beloved landmarks. If you're in Sydney during the celebrations, this is an absolute must-see.
Jace Yan - a month ago
A very interesting building to visit, the architecture on the inside and outside is amazing. The collection of shops are wonderful, a great place to browse and there are also many places to eat with some lovely cafes with mouth watering treats. A really lovely place to spend some time.
ann Syrett133@gmail. com - a month ago
Worth a look around if you are in the area. The high end shops did not interest me but the architecture is impressive. It opened around the turn of the century. There are lots of interesting details in the stained glass windows and the steelwork. There is also an old impressive clock that hangs from the roof.
Sam Rowen - 2 months ago
The building features impressive architecture and a beautifully designed interior. Inside, you’ll find a wide variety of stores along with a selection of cafés. Overall, it’s a beautiful place to visit. Take your time exploring all the different levels and stop in one of the trendy cafes.
Babs - 2 months ago
A very good spot for shopping and having meals, or even getting a cup of coffee. It had great decorations right before the Lunar New Year. There is also some live street piano at the background, making us stop by here for watching the art and taking photos for a long time.
Charlie C - 2 months ago
Directions
| Train Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Light Rail L2 | QVB | 1 minute |
| T1, T2, T3 or T4 | Town Hall | 1 minute |
| T2, T3, or T8 | St. James | 3 minutes |
How to get to Queen Victoria Building Sydney by Train
By Light Rail L2: Exit at QVB which is right across the raod from the Queen Victoria Building.
By Train:Town Hall Station has a direct underground passage to the QVB (1 minute) or Exit St. James Station onto Elizabeth Street and cross over and continue west on Market Street (3 minutes).
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Accommodations near Queen Victoria Building Sydney:
Photo Gallery
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Beautiful arches and stained glass windows inside the Queen Victoria Building cc licensed photo by Cliffano -
Amazing interior of the Queen Victoria Building cc licensed photo by eGuide Travel -
Photo Credit: Bernard Spragg - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Bernard Spragg - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Nicolas Solop - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Jorge Lascar - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: MARKD-PHOTOS - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Bernard Spragg - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: mertie. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: mertie. - cc license via Flickr
